Is there an Entity that assist Nuses who have been fired?

[Quitting]

I am an RN of over 18 years. I have had a hard road like many others and those who haven't Great for you. Unfortunately outside life happenings has destroyed my nursing career and my self esteem. I have been asked to resign and fired over 3 times because of poor decision making. I was just diagnosed with PTSD and fired 2 weeks later. I have a husband and children. I know there is therapy and friends also the blogs to vent but is there some person or company that only deals with damaged nurses or do we still not believe we exist. As I read the blogs the unfairness of what we are asked to do and tolerate it's horrific and then we turn against each other. It was my dream to become and Nurse and to assist other however who assist us. If you are fired it was your fault, why did you resign don't talk about your previous employer, never admit you were human and made a mistake of judgment. We exist! Those who were blamed for doing something wrong in our profession and where can we go to be forgiven or is it just the Board of Nursing who reprimand's us with no other guidance. I am exhausted and tired. Please provide me with some insight of being better at my profession and myself from realistic point of views nurse to nurse.

[condor12]

PTSD is something difficult to understand for those that are not informed. For many reasons of looking OK and moving about you know there are times when anxiety rears up and you've got no control over these monstrous fears. Most nurses would advice against going inactive or voluntary surrender but demonstrating being proactive in accepting this miserable syn-drone can go a long way for you to get a handle on treatment. Recovering from PTSD is a real beast as few colleagues I know just do not understand this condition and how emotionally painful it can be, you look fine but act crazy. Take some time off.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Did your last employer have an employee assistance program? EAPs are intended to help employees with personal problems that impact their work. EAP phone calls are confidential and are often staffed by people with a background in social work or psychology. They can advise you of the resources and community links that are available to you. If your employer did not have an EAP, your family physician may be able to advise you of resources.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

There is no all-encompassing organization for nurses who have been fired. It happens to almost everyone at least once in life, and we either recover and move on or we don't. What we have is each other, and if we are suffering from physical or mental health issues, a doctor and/or counselor who can help us get back on track.

If you were recently diagnosed with PTSD, the chances are good that you've had it for a long time, which might help explain why you've been let go several times. Until you deal head-on with the diagnosis and its effects on your life and work, it may be hard for you to be successful. Therapy and medications are often helpful and can eventually lead to full recovery, which is in stark contrast to most mental illnesses.

I know a little bit about how you must feel. I too have lost several jobs and quit others because I was a "poor fit" or "too slow" or somehow did not meet the requirements for the job. I was unhappy about it and had no idea why I couldn't hang onto a job for longer than a couple of years (if that). Then 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with a mental illness. I'm not saying the illness alone was responsible for my problems with work, but it certainly didn't help matters any, and I am no longer working.

I hope you'll persevere and stay in nursing. I also hope you're being treated for your PTSD and getting support from family and friends. Wishing you the best.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

"is there some person or company that only deals with damaged nurses or do we still not believe we exist"

If by 'damaged', you mean nurses who are suffering from compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma or burnout, there are people who not only believe the damaged exist, they also believe these conditions are an occupational hazard in nursing and other helping professions. One company that deals with these issues is compassionfatigueca.